Hero Kids - Fantasy RPG

Hero Kids is the ENnie award-winning fantasy RPG for kids aged from 4 to 10. This game offers a fast and fun introduction to RPGs, perfect for younger kids who are just getting interested in role-playing games.

NOTE: The print option includes the core rules, heroes, and monsters. Select the Print + PDF option (no extra cost) to also get the introductory adventure and printable heroes and monsters.

EXTRA NOTE: The Hero Kids - Complete Fantasy PDF Bundle includes 50% discount coupons for the softcover print versions of Hero Kids - Fantasy RPG and the Hero Kids - Fantasy Expansion - Monster Compendium (the coupons are emailed to you when you buy the bundle). So if you want the whole lot (PDFs and print version of the rules), buy the bundle then use the coupon to buy the softcover print version of Hero Kids - Fantasy RPG for half price!

Hero Kids has a simple combat and adventuring system which avoids the complex maths of full-blown systems. Hero Kids' opposed dice pool system also keeps the players involved in the game even when it's not their turn.

The combat and adventuring mechanics in Hero Kids are based on six-sided dice, so you don't need to find any unusual dice to play!

The core game comes in a 50-page PDF and includes all of the rules and play instructions, as well as 10 heroes for the kids to play, plus a set of 16 basic monsters (and all of the separate adventures come with additional monsters). The game includes male and female heroes, including Warriors, Hunters, and Warlocks as well as unique heroes like the Rogue, Brute, Healer, and Knight. All of the heroes and monsters also come with printable stand-up minis to use in combat encounters.

Additionally, this basic game pack also includes the 19-page introductory adventure 'Basement O Rats', which comes with an extra monster and five illustrated printable encounter maps. Can the kids rescue their friend Roger from the unusually large rats that have overrun the tavern basement?

Hero Kids has undergone and extensive development and playtesting to ensure the game is as simple, addictive, and engaging as possible. But don't believe me, listen to the actual players:

"The game was great, we were off and playing within a few minutes of reading the rules!"

"Was woken up at 6am this morning by my son, saying he wanted to play Hero Kids right now! There's no such thing as going back to sleep in a 7yo's universe!"

"The game was simple enough for my precocious three-year-old to enjoy, and my five year old to not be distracted from. With the included adventure we all had a lot of fun, including me."

"The art in the book is great: the character portraits are great and very evocative, bringing forth things kids interested in this will probably be familiar with anyway. There's a character who resembles Rapunzel from Disney's Tangled, another who reminds me of Prince Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender."

"The game mechanics are easy to understand and fast enough to keep young players interested and do not get in the way of the story that is unfolding."

"The only real complaint I have is that there aren't full-page coloring pages available for each of the character portraits, something my kids (and myself!) would really enjoy."

"The design is clever, well thought out, and guaranteed to make you jealous that you didn't come up with it first."

"Providing stand-ups for each character helped a lot as well - it saved me from having to dig through my existing figures to find ones that resembled the children, and it reused the wonderful art."

"A great 'starter' rpg for kids, and even better gaming experience for parents to play with their kids. The core rpg experience has been boiled down to its bare essentials here. It only takes about 15-20 minutes to read the entire rulebook and have a good enough grasp on the rules to play your first session. Games will typically take under 30 minutes to play, which short for a typical rpg session, but absolutely perfect when playing with kids."

I was very pleasantly surprised with this game. My kids (1 boy, 2 girls) have *loved* playing this. This has provided hours of fun and has really charged their imaginations.

November 22, 2016 12:24 am UTC

PURCHASER

The game seems like it will be loads of fun but I'm a bit chagrined to find no boy Healer and no girl Knight. All the other characters have both male and female versions but the two in MOST NEED of being separated from gender stereotyping are firmly mired in it. I know I could just make my own but that's not really the point.

It seems like the designer has gone out of his way to build a game that doesn't reinforce gender stereotypes by including boy and girl art for almost every character. But Healers can only be girls (any girl gamer will tell you why that's a problem) and Knights can only be boys (any girl will tell you why that's a problem).

I'm definitely belaboring the point here but I'm SUPER excited to play this game with my two little boy. Now I feel like I can't introduce them to a game setting in which only boys can be Knights and only Girls can be Healers. I'm also incredibly surprised that nobody seems to have mentioned this in any off the reviews I've read.

November 22, 2016 12:33 am UTC

PURCHASER

Hero Cards II has a girl brute, girl knight, and boy healer.

Justin HNovember 22, 2016 1:46 am UTC

PUBLISHER

As the other purchaser mentions, there's tons of diverse characters in the additional hero packs:
http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/115788/Hero-Kids--Fantasy-Expansion--Hero-Cards-II

Hero Cards II features:
• Acrobat - Perform spectacular flips and tumbles to get in and out of trouble
• Alchemist - This bomb thrower is dangerous to enemies and allies
• Brute (Female) - The female brute is big enough to take on any enemy
• Healer (Male) - Trained in the forests of the Brecken Vale, the healer is a great addition to any group of heroes
• Hunter (Female) - On her days off from duties in the palace, this girl practices with her bow
• Knight (Female) - The knight's armor makes her almost impossible to stop
• Storm-Mage - The storm-mage can command elemental lightning against his enemies
• Swashbuckler (Female) - The swashbuckler's shipboard training focused on fighting multiple enemies
• Swashbuckler (Male) - This swashbuckler...See more was born and raised on a pirate ship
• Wolfchild - Abandoned in the forest as an infant, the wolfchild was raised by wolves

November 23, 2016 7:07 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Thank you both very much for pointing that out. I'll be sure and include those in the little kit I print up for my X-Mas package.

And sincerely: thank you Justin for an awesome game. My son has been begging to join my Tuesday night D&D game and I just have to keep telling him "sorry, buddy; Dungeons & Dragons isn't for little boys." I'm sure Hero Kids will be his favorite X-Mas present.

November 23, 2016 9:39 pm UTC

PURCHASER

My nephew loves it; it's all he ever wants to do when we visit. I'm sure he won't be disappointed. :)

Nick BOctober 11, 2016 11:00 pm UTC

Is the Pdf sufficient to start playing or do I need the printed book as well?

Justin HOctober 12, 2016 12:09 am UTC

PUBLISHER

Yep, the PDF has everything you need to get started. The print book is a references book, so it doesn't have the introductory adventure or the printable miniatures.

Cameron BOctober 01, 2016 6:45 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Hi there,
I ordered the new print version of the game, and we are super excited to play, but the book indicates that a printable pdf is required to play the game. This pdf was not included with my purchase, so I was hoping to get a copy of it so we could start playing.
Thanks!

Cameron BOctober 01, 2016 6:57 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Got it! Thanks for the super fast response!

Matthieu CSeptember 21, 2016 3:01 pm UTC

Hello !
Seems there's no print version anymore ?

Justin HSeptember 21, 2016 10:24 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

I'm updating the print version to match the new Monster Compendium print book. Should be available again late next week (assuming print and shipping times).

Matthieu CSeptember 25, 2016 9:29 am UTC

Great ! I'll be waiting then.

Justin HSeptember 28, 2016 11:50 am UTC

PUBLISHER

Hi Matthieu, the Hero Kids core print book is back available now. If you're also interested in the Monster Compendium in print, wait a couple of days for me to activate that book too.

Tony ESeptember 14, 2016 2:21 am UTC

PURCHASER

Hah! I selected 'Softcover B & W Book' rather than 'PDF + Softcover...', so I didn't get the PDF! it seems like that option should just be removed since it's the same price. Apparently all the print-outs for characters, monsters, and the map & 'included campaign' are in the PDF not the softcover, despite the fact that page 14 says they're all included. I contacted the site for help getting the PDF.

Justin HSeptember 14, 2016 2:47 am UTC

PUBLISHER

Hi Tony, unfortunately I can't remove the softcover only option from the list of purchase options. Drop me an email at justinhalliday@gmail.com and I'll send you a code for the PDF.

Tony ESeptember 14, 2016 3:13 am UTC

PURCHASER

Awesome, thanks for the quick reply!

August 24, 2016 4:12 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Hey, we love the game but since my kids and I are new to RPGs we had a few questions, specifically on line of sight. what is the best way to handle allies blocking LoS of a monster? allow an attack? 1 less D6 for cover? Also, when entering a new section of a dungeon should I reveal all monsters or just those in LoS? I don't want to put too much on them but want them thinking some strategy. Thanks.

Shawn KAugust 20, 2016 11:38 pm UTC

My 10 year old HP printer just died on me. when I do purchase it Can I have parts of it or all printed at a print/copy shop?

Hello, just order the print version but I don't see where I can download and the book is not showing up in my library. How can I go about getting the digital version?

Justin HAugust 08, 2016 8:56 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

You may have selected the Print option only, instead of the Print + PDF option when you purchased the product. Send me your DriveThruRPG email address to justinhalliday@gmail.com and I'll send you a voucher for the PDF.

Roger RJuly 31, 2016 10:08 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Hey! I bought this game on July 8th and it should be (and was) shipped to Spain, but I have not received the game yet. Is this normal?

Thanks!

Justin HAugust 01, 2016 3:00 am UTC

PUBLISHER

Hi Roger, there's usually an email about the print process and then another to track the shipping. Have you received either of those? Can you track the shipping?

Roger RAugust 01, 2016 7:46 am UTC

PURCHASER

Hi Justin, ty for your answer.

Yes, I got an email, but it did not provide me any shipment tracking number. All I have is:

The shipping's handled by Lightning Source. When you selected the shipping method, did it give a range for delivery times? I've only shipping to Australia, which has been fast with the express option.

Roger RAugust 02, 2016 12:41 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Honestly, I don't know, I can't remember. That's why I asked =)

Well, I'll be waiting for the shipment. Thank you for your care.

Roger RAugust 03, 2016 7:35 am UTC

PURCHASER

I received your shipment yesterday. Thanks again!

Justin HAugust 03, 2016 11:58 am UTC

PUBLISHER

That's a relief! Enjoy. :-)

RJ CJuly 01, 2016 11:42 am UTC

PURCHASER

I just bought the complete bundle a month ago on June 1st, just checked and it's version 1.6 (Build 84), since 2.0 has been released will I get a link to download the new PDF? Thanks in advance!

Justin HJuly 01, 2016 11:43 am UTC

PUBLISHER

I just sent out emails to all purchasers over the last two months with a 50% discount code on the new print edition. Are you signed up to receive emails from DriveThruRPG publishers?

RJ CJuly 01, 2016 12:50 pm UTC

PURCHASER

I did receive the email about the version 2.0 print edition but I was wondering when 2.0 would be available for PDF download sicne i still have the 1.6 PDF and only purchased 30 days ago...I'd hope I would be eligible to download the new version PDF.

Justin HJuly 01, 2016 1:01 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Yep, all of your PDFs have been updated in your DriveThruRPG Library.

RJ CJuly 01, 2016 1:04 pm UTC

PURCHASER

THANK YOU! Just went to the Library and sorted updates by date and they're there now! Most appreciated!!!

June 29, 2016 11:27 pm UTC

PURCHASER

How much is the softcover? Where do you get it from?

Justin HJuly 01, 2016 11:46 am UTC

PUBLISHER

The Hero Kids print edition is available again now. The softcover is $11.99, or 50% of with a discount voucher (available if you buy the complete PDF bundle or if you jump over to the Hero Kids blog and use the link there).

June 22, 2016 2:03 am UTC

PURCHASER

Bought this and ran it for my kids (boy 4 girl 5) and they absolutely love it. After two adventures they want more. I can see that my oldest wants her warlock to have more than a spell that can be split. What are the options for leveling up and character improvement?

Thanks

Justin HJune 24, 2016 1:28 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Hey,

I discuss advancement and character abilities in this blog post:
http://www.herokidsrpg.blogspot.com/2012/12/equipment-races-hero-classes-and.html

Michael Henry has some rules for advancement:
http://herokidscampaign.blogspot.com/2015/06/leveling-scheme.html

Leonard KJune 18, 2016 5:59 am UTC

PURCHASER

First of all, thanks so much for creating this game. I was wanting to introduce my kids to table top RPGs for a while, but it was looking like I was going to have to cobble together something myself, which is why I was so excited when my wife found this. The whole family loves it and we're always looking for opportunities to play.

Has there been any consideration given to experience/increasing abilities? I've been working on a system where characters get 1-2 hero points after an adventure which can be spent permanently for an automatic success in a dice roll. If they save up 6 points they can get a new dice added to a skill. I'm concerned this may eventually make the characters too powerful, but so far so good.

Thanks.

Justin HJune 24, 2016 1:28 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Hi Leonard,

I discuss advancement and character abilities in this blog post (including your concerns about overpowering characters):
http://www.herokidsrpg.blogspot.com/2012/12/equipment-races-hero-classes-and.html

Michael Henry has some rules for advancement:
http://herokidscampaign.blogspot.com/2015/06/leveling-scheme.html

Mike GJune 12, 2016 12:57 pm UTC

Can we no longer order a print version of this? My 9-year-old girl's birthday is later this month and she has just announced she wants "Dungeons & Dragons" for her birthday........ ;)

Justin HJune 13, 2016 1:11 am UTC

PUBLISHER

Hi Mike, I'm updating the print book to a new version, which is a long process because I need to get the physical proof to Australia.

RONALD HJune 29, 2016 4:24 am UTC

PURCHASER

What's the ETA for the print edition to be available? I'd like to order one!

Justin HJune 29, 2016 4:28 am UTC

PUBLISHER

I got my first set of proofs a couple of weeks ago, and the cover printing was very washed out. I have uploaded updated files and ordered a new set of proofs, which are currently in the air from the UK to Australia. Best case scenario is early next week. Worst case maybe another four weeks.

Justin HJuly 01, 2016 11:48 am UTC

PUBLISHER

The print edition is available again now! Huzzah!

Matthew GJune 07, 2016 1:33 am UTC

PURCHASER

Sadly, I just received my print version of the core book and it appears that much of the art misprinted. For example, the full page piece on page 7 is just a black block, the four hero types on page 11 are just black rectangles, etc. What can I do to rectify this issue?

Justin HJune 07, 2016 1:50 am UTC

PUBLISHER

Hi Matthew, when did you order the print book? I am in the middle of updating the print book to the latest version, but it shouldn't have been available to order during this process. So maybe you ordered before the files got updated, or maybe something just went wrong! In any case, I'm happy to reimburse you for the cost of the book and shipping while I get proofs of the updated version. Justin

Matthew GJune 07, 2016 1:58 am UTC

PURCHASER

Hey Justin. Thanks for being so prompt and decent about this. I ordered the print book on May 26 using the coupon link provided in the email receipt. I look forward to the update and will *not* ask ETA - my daughter isn't quite 3 yet so I have a bit of time to prep.

Justin HJune 07, 2016 2:44 am UTC

PUBLISHER

No problem. Drop me an email at justinhalliday(a)gmail(dot)com. And I'll get you reimbursed.

I've been looking at buying this game for a while now, and with the teach kids RPG sale I couldn't refuse. I bought the whole bundle. My son's been watching me prepare D&D games for a few years now, and always wanted to play with me (and with all [...]

I have started playing this with my seven year old son and as a long term D&D roleplayer I have to say I have been impressed with the simplicity of getting started and the quickness of learning of this system. I very much liked having so man [...]

This game was a great way to start table top RPGs with my kids. We got pizza, picked our characters, talked about back stories, and got straight into Basement Full o' Rats. My daughter is 7 and my son is 5, and when we got done with the adventure, they [...]

I picked up Hero Kids after my 6 year old son found my old set of DnD dice and kept asking to play that game with the cool dice. I bought the whole bundle, for a great price, and got to work with setting up for the first adventure... Basement O [...]

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